Preferred Noise Abatement Runways KBOS local VFR procedures
Not for navigation. Verify against the official sources linked below before flight.
noise abatement Chart Supplement verified 2026-08-28 (42 d ago)
Published airport remark; advisory. If ATC assigns this route to you in Class B, C or D airspace, that assignment is an ATC instruction and compliance is required (14 CFR 91.123) — and “unable” remains available to the pilot in command.
Depart 15R, land 33L — an opposed late-night preference that puts aircraft over Boston Harbor.
The route
- For noise abatement, runway 15R is preferred for takeoff and runway 33L is preferred for landing
- Massport describes this as the FAA, weather permitting, using the easterly-facing runways 33L for arrivals and 15R for departures
- Massport's own briefing describes it as a late night procedure, roughly midnight to 0500, and notes it does result in overflights to the South Shore
- The preference is exercised by ATC weather permitting; it is not a pilot obligation
When it applies
- Departing 15R — southeast flow "RWY 15R IS PREFERRED FOR TKOF"
- Arriving 33L — northwest flow "RWY 33L IS PREFERRED FOR LDG"
Source text, verbatim
[FAA Chart Supplement:] FOR NOISE ABATEMENT, RWY 15R IS PREFERRED FOR TKOF, RWY 33L IS PREFERRED FOR LDG. [Massport noise FAQ:] The FAA, weather permitting, utilizes easterly-facing runways of Runway 33L for arrivals and Runway 15R for departures. Note that aircraft may fly over Boston Harbor, but eventually will fly over communities to the north and south of the airport. [Massport briefing to the Community Advisory Committee, 6 February 2018:] Depart 15R, Land 33L, Late night (about midnight to 5AM). However, procedure does result in overflights to South Shore.
The text above is the published source wording and is authoritative over any summary on this page.
Sources
- FAA Chart Supplement remark via NASR 28-day subscription, cycle 06 Aug 2026 (APT_RMK, BOS) Federal Aviation Administration · retrieved 2026-08-28
- Massport — Logan Airport Noise Abatement FAQs Massachusetts Port Authority · retrieved 2026-08-28